Multiple reproduction of patterns



Patented May 18, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

pdrc 5071/1. ma

G. PICCIONI.

MULTIPLE REPRODUCTION 0F PATTERNS. APPLICATION FILED 050.22.1917.

G. PICCIONI. MULTIPLEREPHODUCTION 0F PATTERNS. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 22, 19|?.

1,340,460. Patented May 18, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G. PICCIONI.

MULTIPLE REPRODUCTION 0F PATTERNS.

n APPLICATION FILED DEC, 22, 1917.

1,340,460. Patented May 18, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

G. PICCIONI.

MULTIPLE REPRODUCTION 0F PATTERNS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 22.1917.

Patented May 18, 1920.-

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

GINO PICCIONI, OF TIVOLI, ITALY.

l MULTIPLE REPRODUCTIN OF PATTERNS.

mecano.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 18, 1920.

Application led December 22, 1917. Serial No. 208,513.

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GINO PrecioNI, a subject of the King of Italy, and resident of rTivoli, Italy, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Multiple Reproduction of Patterns, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the multiple reproduction of patterns or kdesigns upon fabrics, the object being to correctly reproduce repeated designs or patterns upon a plurality of fabrics arranged parallel to each other at short distances apart.

An improved process and apparatus according to my invention are shown, by way of illustration, in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a front view of the frame in which are held firmly pressed together'in a block sheets of cardboard, on the polished and smooth edges whereof the design to be reproduced is painted, or otherwise produced.

Fig. 2 shows a transverse section of the said frame.

Fig. 3 shows a vertical section of the essential part of the machine for reproducing the designs.

Figs. 4; and 5 show one of the embroid ery needles in two different operative positions. v

Fig. 6 shows the apparatus partly in section used to number and measure the portion of color on each one of the edges of the sheets of cardboard.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of Eig. 6 illustrating how the ribbon is impressed. l

Eg. 7 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 shows in elevation a modification of the apparatus used to divide off the colors and portions thereof' as appearing on the edges of the sheets of cardboard.

Eig. 9 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a section. on an enlarged scale along the center line of the said apparatus.

Fig. 11 shows a numbered ribbon ofl a dissected design and the bobbin therefor.

Eig. 12 shows a special fabric for the reproduction of a design.

According to this invention, the picture or design to be reproduced is first dissected by the separation of the sheets of cardboard, the edges of which sheets each have some spots of color, which according to size and tint are indicated by certain numerals. These numerals are reproduced upon the ribbons which are used for reading a pattern and are translated by aid of threads of colors corresponding in shade and in number to said indications.

After the picture has been produced in the fabrics the latter are separated one from another by means of the special cutting mechanism described farther on. Each fabric thus completed reproduces a copy of the picture with color effects equal to those of the original.

The picture to be reproduced is executed upon a smooth surface formed by the juXta position of sheets of cardboard, wood, metal or the like, like the leaves of a book. The sheets which thus arranged form the surface bearing the picture are numbered from the first to the last and are inclosed in a special frame in which they are firmly held so as to present an even and smooth surface.

By dividingV the latter into its various units (sheets) each one of the sheets will lshow on its edge colored spots which are fragments of the entire picture.

Consequently on the edge of each sheet there will be found spots of color of different size and shape. Each spot of color is .represented by a numeral, and also for the L Y n `extent of tne spot of color is provided a fixed measure as unit, which may be stated in millimeters, or fractions thereof.

Each portion of color on each sheet is compared with a scale on which are painted all the different shades of colors.v

After the exact color and the extent of -eaeh spot has been ascertained the corresponding numeral is printed, by the apparatus hereinafter described, upon a ribbon which is wound, upon a bobbin.

Supposing that a spot of color is a bright red or of a similar shade, a comparison is made with the aforesaid scale on which the corresponding shade of color bears a numeral, say 110. And supi'iosing further that the spot has an extent of 5 divisions, it follows that there will be 5 points of bright red with the numeral 40. rThe next shade may be represented, say by the numeral 41, and supposing that it extends through 4 divisions,

there will be 1 points 41, and so forth. Upon the ribbon there will then be printed 5 times lOWand followingthis el times 41 (see Fig. 11).

By proceeding in the same manner for each sheet ot cardboard the operator inally will obtain a ribbon or number of ribbons upon which are printed a series ot' i'igures which represent the colors of the spots on the edges of the sheets ot cardboard. And these liguresV will evidently correspond to the colors of the colored threats' 't wool or other material used to reproduce the original. The ribbons are numbered and kept for the purpose oll reproducing copies without the original.

ln order to determine the numerals corresponding' to the extent and shade of color ot each spot on each oi the sheets of cardboard, and to print these numerals upon the ribbon or ribbons referred to use is made of the apparatus, shown in Figs. 6. o'll and '7. rllhe cardboard sheet -ozis placed with the colored edge up vertically into a slot of the supporting trame 2. ilmost touching the sheet `-.f, there is en one side a band 3, bearing` divisions, e. gf., measured by millimeters, (Fig. 7) tor ineasuri'ng` the extent ofthe shades ot color. @n the other side of the sheet rr/ is provided a shiftable plate 4, bearing` a scale of the colors, which Vare each represented by a numeral.

By shifting' the plate Ifl lengthwise, one lin'ds the shade oi color corresponding to that upon the edge of the cardboard sheet. The starting;` point or the shade oit color on the plate l, and upon the cardboard sheet must register with zero on the 'ribbon il tor measuring' the extent et the color. fitter the color hasv heen ascertained on the plate d one will have also the numher corresponding thereto` which is then printed upon the )attern ribbon 17 by means ot a. character shown at 5 in Fins. 6 and 6T, in which iigure the numeral 6 indicates the ilirintinfr table over which'the ribbon 17 passes.

rlfhe characters or types indicated at 5 are fixed to the under surface of the plate 4, each shade ot color bearing' its particular number. l

Pry turn oi the handle 7, a pointer 8 is brought opposite a number corresponding` to the ascertained color which number is provided on the arc ot a sector 9. Ry the turn et the handle 7. the axle l2 on which the handle is mounted. moves by means of a projecting' bracket 13. a sector l1 so as to move the correspondingr character 107 carried on the sector 11 opposite the counter-pressure table 6a for printing' onto the ribbon `17 which passes over the table 6 the numeral corresponding to'the ascertained color.V rlhe handle 7, is returned to its initial position by the action of a coiled spring` inclosed in a casing 16 while the sector 1l which bears the characters 10 is 4arrested and held in place by means of mutually engaging stops 14 and 15.

The return` movement of the handle 7 is effected in the followingmanner: Secured to the hub 29 or' the handle 7 `is a gear 2S with which meshes a gear 30 carried by a shaft 31a. On'theilatter is mounted also a gear 32a with which meshes a gear carried by a spindle Sila to which is fastened the one end of the coiled spring inclosed in casing 16. rllhe. spring, with its other end fastened to the casing' tends to always turn the handle 7 back to its original position.

'lVhen the handle 7 is released and turned back by the coiled spring referred to it strikes against a stud 26 which under the effect ofthis blow mores backwardthe lever 27. rllhe latter, through the link 2?, actuates'the hammer 28, whereby the num- `ber `is impressed upon the ribbon 17 by means of a color ribbon 17a.

rlhe subsequent risingy ofthe hammer 2S, causes the catch 1li to be disengaged from stop 15 carried bythe sector 11, which by the action of a spring inclosed in'boi: 29 is returnedfto its originalpositiomthe said spring-being secured with one end to the hub of said sector. The catch 14 `and stop 15`are held in engagement by a spring- 14a. The latter isl-fastened'to a pivoted link 141b which is in the path ot the hammer OQ As the latter.` therefore. returns to its elevated position. it trips said link thereby causing the disengagement of catch 14 from step 15.

Through the backward movement ot the handle 7, the ribbon 17 is at the same time moved forward. by means ot the. sprocketwheel whichthrough a sprocketchain (not shown) turns the bobbin on which the ribbon winds.so that a tree space on the ribben comes in position to be printed upon.

also the clutchingapparatus, bearing` the sheet ot cardboard is advanced to the required extent,` by means o't the {rearing- 22. 23 andthus a new 4point ot the colorspot is made to register with zero on the scale 3. To prevent any accidental' backward motion of the sheet of cardboarf'l and the ribbon 17, a ratchet wheel- 19 is provided and also a'pawl engaigino;` the same, the ratchet wheel beine" mounted on the axle 2O el the rear wheel Q2.

The operator proceeds in thisv manner with each color spot on the e'dgl'e ot the cardboard sheet andthus obtains a ribbon bearing eonsecutively'the :numbers corr .spondintr to the particular color and the vextent of each portion ofthe said color. ,A-iter all 4'the colors oath@ cardboardisheets have thus the latter wliiehfis'avound upon' 'e bobbin (Fig. 11). is used for'the selection of the colored threads used for the reproduction of the design or picture.

On the end 38 of each ribbon 17 (Fig. 11) is marked the subject of the picture, the name of the author, and any other indication which may be useful. Moreover, there is placed on the ribbon the corresponding number of the volume of cardboards La- (Fig. l) which number is followed by the numbers indicating the colors of the dissected picture. These numbers are totaled up, and the total of each sequence of like numbers, as seen in Fig. 11,is placed near the right edge of the ribbon and printed with a color different from the others and in heavier type. Near the left edge of the ribbons are printed controlling numbers in progressive order from 10 to 20, 20 to 30, etc. These controlling numbers make any possible error or mistake in the exact reproduction of the original impossible.

ith the ribbons thus produced, one can without the cooperation of the apparatus afterward described reproduce any picture or design on a special `background. (Fig. l2) upon which is showna net work. The latter is divided into squares of tens, lines of different color with numbers corresponding to the lines being used. The numbers ap pearing upon the backing on the sides A, 15, correspond exactly to the controlling number near the left edge of the ribbon 17. The numbers appearing on the sides l, 1), correspond to the progressive numbers from 10 to 20, 20 to 30, etc., of the sheets of cardboard.

rIhereupon, the skeins are divided in order to select the indicated threads, the shade and the number of which correspond to the aforesaid numbers printed on the ribbon or ribbons 17 and to the total of these numbers. The selected threads are then arranged upon grooved tables corresponding to the colored portions on the edges of the various cardboard sheets. In this manner one proceeds for each ribbon 17.

This process is carried out, for instance, by an arrangement of the threads selected in the manner just stated in the part of the machine shown in Fig. 3. Upon. the upper bars -cand the lower ones QL- are mounted the backings of a fabric in such a manne' as to be well stretched, suitable intervals being provided. Upon the front side of the machine, which in this case is that on the left of Fig. 3, there are suspen ded the selected variously colored threads which may he arranged in wooden frames. At the same height, upon the rear side of the machine, i. e., on the right of Fig. 8, there are arranged side by side in a horizontal plane -ga row of needles, the number of and the distances between which correspond to the numbers of and the distances between the threads suspended on the front side of the machine.

One of the needles is shown in Figs. 4 andk 5; it consists of a tubular part 7L- containing a needle provided with a hook. This needle -zi can be moved lengthwise backward in the tubular part -t-. All the needles are operatively connected together so that the tubular parts can be moved simultaneously through they backings -f-, while the needles -2'- remain therein inclosed. (The mechanism for operating the needles is not shown in the drawing). Between the backings -fH are placed fixed bars -iwhich have guides -m-- in alinement with the said needles, the bars -f themselves supporting the layers of fabric in correct position during the passage of the needles therethrough.

The needles are first pushed through the fabrics f with the needles -z'- withdrawn into the tubular parts JL- the latter being pointed making a series of holes in the fabrics.

The needles -z-, are then caused to project from the tubular parts .L-, the hooks thereby being in. a position to each grasp one of the suspended colored threads. All the needles are then drawn back into their tubular parts -7L, whereupon the latter are partly moved backward. By this backward movement the colored threads are drawn through the holes previously made by the tubular parts L in the fabrics After this first operation another row of threads is suspended on the front side of the machine and all the fabrics are either raised or lowered by the thickness of a sheet of cardboard -a-, whereupon, in the same manner other threads are drawn by the needles through the fabrics After the pattern has been completely reproduced, the various layers are separated one from another by a special system of cutters. Each frame of fabrics contains adjacent to the other the variously colored threads, which proj ect to the required length from both sides of the fabric.

A modification is shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10.

, A rotating disk 8O supported in a standard 31, is provided on its periphery with a numbered series of divisions 3Q, in each of which is placed a thread having the color corresponding to that number. arranged in connection with. the frame upon which is adjustably placed a support 3d adapted to hold the cardboard `sheet cl/ 1 Close thereto is .fixed in an adjustable manner to the support a mechanism, such as a table provided with grooves or elastic holders 35. in which there are vertically arranged the threads corresponding This disk is to the numbers indicated at 3G bythedisk, 4andfthe corresponding portions of color on the edge of the cardboard sheet -a-.

Beneath the disk 30 is placed a receptacle 37 in which are arranged kthe loose pieces ofthe color threads corresponding tov the color determining numbers designated by the part 36 of the disk 30. Thelatter revolves in accordance with the said receptacle 37.

The facility afforded by the elastic holder permits the operator to rapidly take in the desired order .all the colors represented by the edge of a carboard sheet to be immediately transferred to the machine for reproducing the pattern.

In order to `subdivide the backgrounds oi Afabrics reproducing` the same pattern, one

proceeds as follows:

The entire block of backgrounds or fabrics is removed from the machine. Thereafter, by means of a suitable cutter, such as a band saw or the like, they are divided two by two. These backgrounds thus divided in pairs are then submitted to a felting operation on their two outer sides for fthe. purpose of felting together lthe back part of the pattern reproduced.

After this the two backgrounds which are to be separated are submitted to a horizontal cutting machine. rihe two faces produced by this cutter will correctly reproduce the pattern.

By means of this process the manufacture of felted carpets becomes possible and practical, `and in this manner carpets are produced which l resist wear and keep the reproduced pattern intact irrespective of wear.

This system of felting has been .found much more suitable than the system hitherto employed, which consisted in fixing the lthreads on the backing ofthe fabric by means of cementing materials.

The length of the pile, whateverthe inaterial of which they are formed is immaterial because the apparatus can be adapted to enablethe operator to use continuous threads after the colors once have been determined and arranged according to the scale above described.

All the sheets of cardboard which compose the pattern are numbered to ren-der any error impossible with numbers corresponding to those of the dividing machine. rlhus one can produce bobbins, which when provided with their respective numbers ccordiiig to the different colors of the threads will enable any person whether experienced in the art of weaving or not to reproduce a pattern without the original.

I claim as my invention:

l. The process of simultaneously reproducing in a plurality of fabrics, patterns or designs which consists in dissecting the pattern or design into very small separate fragments, each-fragment bearing a color representedy by a previously fixed number, successively determiningthe numbers corresponding to the'colors of each fragment andthe extent thereof, selecting the various threads corresponding in number and color to the extent and colors of the separate fragments for reproducing Vthe same, Vpassing said threads close one to the other in their selected successive order through the spaced fabrics arranged in stretched condition parallel'to each other, then cutting thethreads between each two adjacent fabrics, and finally submitting each fabricto a felting operation thereby permanently fixing on one side thereof the-loose short ends ofthe threads exactly reproducing the original pattern.

2. In the process, as specified in claim l, the step of preparing the pattern for reproduction which consists in forming a smooth surface by closely placing together, like 4the leaves of a book, a plurality of numbered single sheets of cardboard, each sheet yhaving a thickness sufiicient to enable a color to be distinguished on the exposed edge of the sheet, placing the sheets in a frame, firmly pressing them` together therein, so as to form of the exposed edges of the various sheets a smooth even surface, and then producing `on that surface the pattern or design.

3. `In the process, as specified in claimrQ, the step of printing'the fixed numbers rep- -resenting a certain color in the succession in which the colors ofthe pattern or design appear on the exposed edges of the Vvarious cardboard sheets upon a vstrip or ribbon adapted to be woundonto a bobbin, the extent of coloi onthe edge `of each single cardboard sheet being represented by a correspondnig repetition of the same number, and then printing on the margin of said strip or ribbon the total of such repeated numbers.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my naine to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GINO PICCIONI. lVitnesses GIovANNi Boirroruzzi, Giovanni Vn'rLUsINI. 

